So you think you want to buy a house, but you’re not sure where to start or what will happen. Here’s how to get started, and a breakdown of the process:
- Get Set Up on a Home Search: Contact me to get set up on a personalized home search that won’t confuse you like Zillow does.
- Get Pre-Approved: Research and talk to mortgage lenders to get a pre-approval letter. Having a pre-approval is so important before starting your search. (Need a few recommendations? I can send you several trusted and vetted loan officer contacts).
- Start Viewing Properties: Start selecting properties for me to set up showings. As we start seeing options, I will help you funnel out what isn’t working, and help you re-focus on your goals so we can find the perfect fit.
- Make an Offer: Once you find the right home, I will help you write up a strong offer. Besides the Real Estate Contract, you will also sign the Seller’s Disclosure, a Lead Based Paint Addendum if needed, and potentially other documents depending on your situation.
- Negotiate: If the sellers decide they are interested in your offer they may try to renegotiate some of the terms of the contract. This is when you need to know what are the most important terms for you, and for the sellers.
- Deliver Earnest Money: When you have come to terms on a contract with the sellers, we will deliver your earnest money check into escrow with the seller’s title company. This will be deposited into a third party account until closing.
- Perform Inspections: Now is your time to get any inspections on the home you’d like and do your due diligence. I always suggest a whole home inspection, sewer inspection, radon inspection, and more. I have a list of inspectors I can share with you to interview.
- Renegotiate, If Needed: Once inspections are completed, if you have found unacceptable conditions, (such as safety issues, large expense fixes such as a roof or foundation etc.) then we will submit a Resolution of Unacceptable Conditions. You can ask for the seller to fix said items, or pay for some of your closing costs to the tune of whatever bid we got, or ask them to drop the price.
- Order Appraisal: If we come to terms on the Resolution, then we will have your lender order the appraisal. This is a requirement for all loans. If you are buying with cash, you will not need an appraisal, unless you want to pay one for your own knowledge.
- Set Up Utilities & Home Insurance: Once the appraisal comes back in (as long as it comes in at or above the sales price), you will want to set up utilities in your name for the day of closing. You will also need to have an active homeowner’s insurance policy in place for the day of close.
- Final Walk Thru: We will schedule a final walk thru of your new home right before closing to ensure it has been left in the same condition as when we went under contract and to check the seller left any items noted in the contract.
- Close: After the final walk thru we will head to the title company to sign your loan documents. You will need to bring a certified cashier’s check in the amount of your closing costs, down payment and lender fees, as well as your ID. You did it!
- Continue to Get Valuable Info from Your Realtor: After you close, we will continue to stay in touch. I am your life-long Realtor and will always be here for you.
